Australian Filmmaker Detained in Cambodia

An Australian filmmaker in Cambodia is facing up to 10 years in prison after being charged with endangering national security.

69-year-old James Ricketson was arrested in June 2017 for flying a drone over a political rally held by the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party.

Ricketson has denied the espionage charges, claiming he is not a spy and has been falsely imprisoned for 14 months without any tangible evidence.

QLD disaster support specialists reassessed by UN

A team of 75 Queensland disaster support specialists will be assessed this week by International judges to retain their United Nations classification.

With this event taking place every five years, experts from the UK, US, Japan, China and Saudi Arabia will assess the proficiency of the team to response to a range of international disasters.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford will launch the reclassification exercise tonight and is confident the response team will demonstrate their internationally renowned prowess.

Hospital set for Lockyer Valley

After more than a year of pressure, Lockyer Valley mayor Tanya Milligan has announced plans for the construction of a regional-sized hospital in the district.

The development would result in less patients travelling to Ipswich or Toowoomba for procedures that can be performed locally, and would allow women to give birth closer to home.

Councillor Milligan said data pointing to a significant population increase in the area over the next decade also demonstrates  need for the new hospital.

Charles Blackman dies

Renowned Australian Artist Charles Blackman passed away yesterday at the age of 90, surrounded by friends and family in Sydney.

Blackman was most famously known for his works inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, after being introduced to the classic works by his Former wife Alice.

He was known as one of Australia’s greatest painters of the human condition, and recognised as a pioneer of Australian art in the post-war era.

China continues island support

China will continue to provide financial aid to island countries in the Pacific, such as Tonga, to help them achieve sustainable development.

Tonga is amongst the eight island countries with significant debt to China.

Despite China’s lending programs increasing to more than US $1.3 billion outstanding in the past decade, there are fears the debt burden carried by small economies may lead to increased political pressure from China.

North and South Korean relatives reunite

Around 90 families from North and South Korea have been reunited after being separated by the Korean War for more than six decades.

Separated relatives will meet over next three days after North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, and South Korean president Moon Jae-in, agreed to host the reunion event at this year’s summit in April.

With more than 57,000 South Korean survivors estimated to register, this is the first reunion event in three years.

1 Million Cyclists by 2020

Bicycle Queensland is calling for 1 million cyclists to ride weekly by 2020.

The organisation is aiming to increase current cyclists by 12 and a half thousand per month, after an international study found cycling lowers stress and promotes better mental health.

Bicycle Queensland chief executive Anne Savage hopes the push will inspire Queenslanders to opt for alternative forms of travel and increase fitness.